Another bad proposal from FMCSA bites the dirt

OOIDA’s Director of Government Affairs Mike Matousek announced this morning that FMCSA has withdrawn its proposed rulemaking regarding minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor carriers.

In short, FMCSA is no longer considering the idea of increasing the $750,000 minimum level of liability coverage. As you may recall, some within FMCSA and Congress were pushing for dramatic increases in insurance requirements. Not only is this great news, but it’s also significant that they have formally announced the withdrawal. Normally they just leave the docket open.

OOIDA led the opposition to this matter both before the executive branch and Congress. It’s a loss to the mega carriers and trial lawyers that pushed for an increase, but an important victory for members. Thank you to all the truckers and small-business trucking companies, our OOIDA board members, and active membership for your work on this issue.

You can read FMCSA’s notice in the Federal Register. We’ve also included a summary of FMCSA’s announcement below.

“FMCSA withdraws its November 28, 2014 advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) concerning financial responsibility for motor carriers, freight forwarders, and brokers. FMCSA is authorized to establish minimum levels of financial responsibility for motor carriers at or above the minimum levels set by Congress. In the ANPRM, FMCSA sought public comment on whether to exercise its discretion to increase the minimum levels of financial responsibility, and, if so, to what levels. After reviewing all public comments to the ANPRM, FMCSA has determined that it has insufficient data or information to support moving forward with a rulemaking proposal at this time.”

Sandi Soendker, editor-in-chief, brings more than 33 years of front-line journalism and publishing know-how to Land Line. She has covered the trucking industry since 1987. In 2013, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Truck Writers of North America.

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